As we’ve already seen on these pages the final stage of South Yorkshire Supertram improvement works this summer is now underway with no trams able to run between Hillsborough and Middlewood. This has led the Yellow route to be being diverted along Holme Lane to Malin Bridge, giving that short section of line double the number of trams than it usually sees. Stuart Cooke provides images of some of those workings in this article.
This stage of improvement works is due to run from Monday 12th August to Sunday 1st September and is seeing rail replacement along Middlewood Road with the first section being treated being at Middlewood terminus itself. This is the last stage of works for this summer as is part of £5 million worth of investment by the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority this year alone.
399 207 – the last of the Citylink vehicles and one which is fitted with traditional tramway wheel profiles – is seen here on Holme Lane just approaching the junction at Hillsborough which will see it rejoin the normal Yellow route. Its working a service to Meadowhall.
With the route set ahead to the Malin Bridge line, 113 is just leaving Hillsborough here with a Yellow route service. Alongside is a First South Yorkshire bus which has recently transferred from First Leeds City where its been replaced by a fleet of electric buses. 35729 is working on tram replacement service YA1.
122 has set off from Malin Bridge and continues its journey to Meadowhall.
At Malin Bridge terminus we see 103 set off with a trip to Meadowhall. The couple on the platform clearly want to go on the Blue route though as they watch the tram head off. (All Photographs by Stuart Cooke)